USAID Contact

The Republic of the Congo is relatively rich in natural resources, including forests, oil and other mineral resources, and it has the deepest port in Africa. A civil war in 1997 led to years of unrest, but stability has now returned. However, the country continues to struggle to restore democratic governance. More than 80 percent of the population is literate, and primary education is widespread among both girls and boys.

USAID Contact

Rwanda is a small, landlocked country with a population density that is among the highest in Africa. It is one of the world’s poorest countries but much has changed since the 1994 genocide that killed over 800,000 people. The country has made remarkable progress in developing national and local government institutions, maintaining security, promoting reconciliation and strengthening the justice system.

Sahel Regional

Mission Contact

USAID Contact

Washington

, DC

USA

Significant chronic vulnerability in the Sahel has taken hold as a result of a combination of factors, including poverty, marginalization, weak governance, low rainfall, population pressure and high population growth, food price volatility, and climate variability.

In 2011, irregular rainfall combined with civil conflict, high food prices and shocks such as locust infestation rendered more than 18 million people food insecure, according to FAO.

In an effort to move beyond just addressing the symptoms of these factors, the Sahel Joint Planning Cell (JPC) was formed to bring together the expertise of both USAID humanitarian assistance and development assistance actors in finding innovative and collaborative ways to build resilience among vulnerable populations in the Sahel.

USAID Contact

USAID's programs are supporting Serbia's vision to be democratic, prosperous and fully integrated into Euro-Atlantic institutions. USAID is helping Serbia enact reforms for the country to complete its economic and democratic transition into the European Union (EU) and other international institutions.

USAID Contact

Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Sierra Leone has been steadily rebuilding physical, social and health infrastructure. However, the challenges of endemic corruption, high youth unemployment, inadequate services, and widespread poverty are still critical impediments to progress.

USAID Contact

Since 1991, Somalia has essentially been a collapsed state. The social costs of war have been enormous, leaving Somalia with some of the lowest human development indicators in the world. In 2011 and 2012, the worst drought that East Africa has seen in 60 years led to famine in southern Somalia, uprooting thousands of families and putting millions at severe risk. Food security has improved, largely driven by humanitarian assistance.

USAID is working to increase stability and reduce the appeal of extremism in Somalia through programming that fosters good governance, promotes economic recovery and growth, offers youth skills training, and works to increase social cohesion through improved community with government relationships. Our programs are planned and carried out with local partners in the context of Somali culture and values.

USAID Contact

Almost two decades after the end of apartheid, the South African Government continues to uphold the rights of its citizens and to invest heavily in the wellbeing of its people. South Africa plays a key economic and political role on the continent, but faces many challenges, including unemployment, HIV/AIDS, crime and corruption.

South Sudan

Mission Contact

USAID Contact

Fighting that erupted in the capital of Juba in December 2013 plunged the Republic of South Sudan into its most severe crisis since it became independent in 2011, following decades of civil war. Thousands of South Sudanese have been killed and traumatized and more than 2 million have been displaced from their homes, including more than 500,000 who have sought refuge in neighboring countries and more than 100,000 who are sheltering at United Nations compounds in South Sudan.

Approximately half of South Sudan’s population—6.4 million people—are projected to be food insecure in early 2015, including an estimated 2.5 million facing crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity.

USAID has worked in South Sudan for decades, providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance, conflict mitigation assistance, and support for key milestones of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which culminated in South Sudan’s independence. USAID has helped provide essential services to the people of South Sudan, such as health care and education, built key infrastructure such as roads and bridges, supported agriculture initiatives, and established the basic foundations of critical institutions.

USAID Contact

While Southern Africa has seen significant economic growth achievements, the overall number of people living in poverty has grown over the past two decades. Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa have some of the highest levels of income inequality in the world. Since 1995, we have maintained a regional program in Southern Africa that has evolved over time to address the changing development challenges of the sub-region. Our programs increase trade and strengthen regional economic ties, address the HIV/AIDS crisis, mitigate food insecurity, and support democratic processes.

Sri Lanka, an island nation located along major maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean, is currently experiencing steady economic growth following 26 years of conflict and a disastrous tsunami in 2004. USAID works with the Government and people of Sri Lanka to help the country sustain this growth while ensuring all citizens enjoy its benefits.

USAID prioritizes programs that bolster economic growth, extend critical social services to local communities, and strengthen the ability of local organizations to advocate for citizen needs and sustain these vital services.

Mission Contact

USAID Contact

Sudan was the largest country in Africa and the Arab world until 2011, when South Sudan became an independent country. It sits at the crossroads of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, with fertile lands, abundant livestock and natural resources. Since independence in 1956, Sudan has faced highly complex development challenges, but is key to stability of the region.

USAID Contact

Swaziland is a small country almost completely surrounded by South Africa. Due in large part to its geographic position, the economy is heavily dependent upon trade with South Africa. The country has a relatively high per capita income, but nearly 70 percent of the population lives in poverty. Most high-level economic activity is conducted by non-Africans living in Swaziland. Primary education is widespread among boys and girls.

Syria

USAID Contact

According to the U.N., the conflict in Syria had resulted in more than 191,000 deaths as of April 2014—more than double the figure last reported by the U.N. in July 2013. Nearly 11 million people are in need of aid inside Syria and face threats, displacement, hunger, injury and death due to the appalling tactics of the Asad regime and extremist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

USAID Contact

U.S. assistance supports Tanzania’s national development goal to build public and private capacity to foster a healthier, prosperous and secure nation through accountable, democratic government that responds effectively to the needs of its citizens.

USAID Contact

Since 1832, the United States and Thailand have maintained a strong relationship. Through its assistance programs, USAID has built a solid foundation of partnership in development with the Royal Thai Government.

USAID Contact

Timor-Leste is one of the world's newest countries and also one of the poorest. This small, half-island nation is home to a young and culturally diverse population of just over 1 million. In its pivotal Southeast Asia location between Indonesia and Australia, Timor-Leste is already playing an important role in regional and global organizations. It currently holds the chair of the g7+ Group of Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, helping to lead the way to more effective engagement between developed and developing countries.

Tunisia

USAID Contact

The United States strongly supports the Tunisian people as they lay the foundation for a future of economic prosperity that empowers a new generation, strengthens civil society and solidifies the foundation of democracy.

Tunisians have charted their own political transition, and USAID has answered Tunisian requests for support for economic growth, good governance, and expanded opportunities—areas that are interlinked in this transition environment.